http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVwN1M2jZqw Known in the 1930s as 'the little girl with the big voice', Judy Garland was arguably at her peak in her role as Dorothy in the much-loved The Wizard of Oz. Having enjoyed success in vaudeville and short films for many years before this, she was the perfect example of a child star - cute, charming and remarkably talented. Garland's transition into more adult roles in the 1940s was wobbly at best. Many producers felt that she was not conventionally beautiful enough to be a true Hollywood leading lady; she was frequently typecast in wholesome, girl-next-door parts, something she found highly frustrating. She still enjoyed a comparatively short-lived movie career, until her personal problems and increasing alcohol and drug abuse made her career aspirations impossible. But Garland survived. In the 1960s, after several unsuccessful comebacks, she returned to her roots, coming into her own as an adored vocalist and performer who gave concerts all over the world. Despite her new-found adult appeal and apparent return to form, the pressure she faced in her childhood and the insecurities she had developed over her talent and attractiveness continued to haunt her, unfortunately dying of a barbiturate overdose in 1969 after battling substance abuse problems for years - yet many theorise it spawned from dependence on medication supplied to her as a child by MGM Studios.
Stephanie is a writer and free spirit who likes to pretend she's a Londoner, though strictly speaking she's from Watford. She likes books, music, elephants, and hairspray.